Wire gaging and cutting machine.



PATENTED JUNE 2, 1903.

ANo. 729,864. "i

E. W., 4A. &`E. A. HQEEER. WIRE GrACrING:` AND lCUT'IINGr MACHINE.-APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 21, 1903. s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ma ,"mfiamsvo 4 No. 729,864. EATENTED JUNE 2, 1903.

E. W., A. G. Af, E. A. HOEEEE. WINE GAGING AND CUTTING MACHINE.

AEPLI'OATIONEILED JAN. 21, 1903.

s SHEETS-SHEET 42.

No MODEL.

@Kw/MM THE NOHIS FEYERS w PNOTD-LITHO WASNWCTQN No. 729,864. PATENTEDJUNE 2, 190s.

" E. W., A. G. & E. A. EOEEEE.

WINE GAGING AND GETTING MACHINE.

` APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21, 1903. 4 N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W EEEIS...

No. 729,864. PATENTED JUNE 2, 1903.

` F. W., A. G. & E.. AfHOEFEB..

WIRE GAGING ANDCUTTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION `FILED JAN. 2;. 1903.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII v:

k-Illllllh? -llllllll No. #29,864.. PATBNTED JUNE `2, 1903. A P. W., A.G. & E, A. HOEPBR.

WIRE GAGING AND CUTTING MACHINE.

. APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 21, 190s.

No MODEL. I s SHEETS-sum 5.

-HIIIIIIIIIIII llllllllll-IIIIIIIIIIIIIIl!` VMM-hip @Nr/rn ternelPatented June' 2, 1903.

FATENT Ormea.

FREDERICK W. HOEFER, AUGUST G. HOEFER, AND EMIL A. I-IOEFER, OF

FREEPOR'I, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO HOEFER MANUFACTURING COM- PANY, OFFREEPORT, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WI'RE GAGING AND CUTTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 729,864, dated June 2,1903. Application filed January 2l, 1903. Serial No. 140,050. (Nomodel.)

To a/Z whom it may concern,.- l

Be it known that we, FREDERICK W. Hon- FER, AUGUsrG. HOEFER, and EMIL A.HOE- FER, citizens of the United States of America,

residing at Freeport, in the county of Stephenson and State of Illinois,have invented eertain new and useful Improvements in l/Vire Gaging andCutting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in wire gaging and cuttingmachines which are adapted to measure off and sever segments ofpredetermined lengths from a continuous wire; and it consists of certainnew and useful features of construction and combinations of partsespecially devised to those ends, all as hereinafterfully described,andspecifically pointed out in the claims.

. Fig. 2 of parts there shown.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of thisspecication, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying ourinvention. Fig. 1u is asection at the dotted line 1a 1fL in Fig. 1 ofparts there shown. Fig. 2 and Fig. 2a are a top plan view of the ma.-chine sectioned through the dottedline la 1ii virfFig. 1. Figs. 3, 4,and 5 are sections at the dotted lines 3 3, 4 4,' and 5 5, respectively,in

Fig. 6 is a section at the dotted line 6 6 in Fig. 5 of parts thereshown. Fig. 7 is a section at the dotted line 7 7 in Fig. 3 of that partof the machine shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7a is a section at the dotted line7a 7a in Fig. ilu of parts there shown. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailedview of parts of the machineas seen when looking in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig. 7, other parte thereof being sectionedaway at the dotted line S 8 thereon. Fig. 9 is a detailed side view o'fparts shown in Fig. 3, other parts being there sectioned away at thedotted line 9 9 thereon. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed view of partsshown in Fig. 24. Fig. 11'is a like View of the same with parts thereofin diiferent relative positions. Fig. 12 is a section at the dotted line12 12in Fig. 10 of parts there shown. Fig. 13 is a section at the dottedline 13 13 in Fig. 11 of parts there shown. ted line 14 14 in Fig. 2 ofparts there shown.

5o Fig. 15 is a like view of the same with parts Fig. 14 is a section atthe dot-4 thereofin different relative positions. Figs. 1G and 17 arebroken details of parts of the machine.

Like letters of lreference indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

A is the lower section of themain frame of the machine and ispreferably.substantially rectangular in form and hollow and has circularbearings A', A2, A3, and A4 therein. A5 is the upper section of suchmain frame and supports a preferably integral horizontal arm A6, havingcircular bearings A7 AS therein.

B is ashaft mounted in the bearings A' A Ab and carrying a pinion B', alarge beltpulley B2, and a small belt-pulley B3, all fast thereto, and aloose belt-pulley B4.

C isa shaft mounted in the bearings A2 A3, and carrying a balance-wheelC', a bevelpinion O2, and a gear-wheel C3, all fast thereto, meshingwith the pinion B'.

D D', Fig. 4, are vertically-elongated blocks having circular bearingsD2 D3 extending longitudinally therethrough and hinged together at theirlower ends by means of lugs D4 D4 thereon and a pintle D5 extendingtransversely through such lugs and suspended y through an opening D6 inthe main frame by means of flanges D?, Figs. 2 and 7, projectinglaterally therefrom into engagement with bearings D8 on such main frame.

F is a shaft mounted in the bearings A4.D- and carrying a bevel-gear F',meshing with the bevel-pinion"C2, and having a pinion F2 and awire-feeding roll F3, having a groove F4 in the periphery thereof.

G is a shaft mounted in the bearing D3 and carrying a pinion G',meshingI withthe pinion F2, and a wire-feeding roll G2, having a grooveG3 in the periphery thereof and adapted to coperate withits counterpartroll F3.

I-I H' are set-screws for regulating the pressure of the rolls F3 G2against a wire passing IOO frame of the machine by means l2, Figs. 7 and8, is a male clutch member consisting of a hub I2, mounted loose on theshaft C, having a slideway l4 extending longitudinally therethrough andregistering with the counterpart engaging sockets l in the member I anda pin l5 inserted through and adapted to be slid endwise in suchslideway I4 into and out of engagement with such sockets l'.

l, Fig. S, is a spring mounted on the hub 13 and normally impelling thepin l5 into and retaining it in engagement with one of the sockets l inthe member I.

l7 is a cam-head on the end ls of the pin 15, whereby such pin l5 may bethrown out of engagement with the female clutch member l atpredetermined limes by means to be delscribed hereinafter.

l, Figs. 3, 7, and 8, is an eccentric preferably integral with andprojecting radially' from the hub l3 of the male clutch member l2 andhaving a connecting-groove Iwsunk into the periphery thereof.

J, Fig. 3, is a cutter-bar mounted, by means of a pivot-bearing J'extending transversely therethrough, ou the main frame of the machine,so as to leave a short arm J2 above and a long arm J3 below.

J4 is a pitinan connected, by means of an eccentric-hoop J5, with theeccentric 19 and by means of a pivot-joint JG with the free end 0f thelong arm J3 of the cutter-bar J.

J7 J8 are studs projecting from the eccentric-hoop J5and the'cutter-barJ, respectively, and J9 is a tension-spring constantly tending to drawthe parts connected thereby toward each other. The function of thespring J9 is to assistin supporting and steadying the parts composingthe clutch member I2.

K, Fig. 5, is a dovetailed slot in the free end of the arm J2 of thecutter-bar J for the reception of a counterpart dovetailed cutter K'.Such cutter K is rmly secured in the slot K by forcing the edges thereofagainst the dovetailed edges K2, Fig. 6, of such slot K by means of theset-screw K2. The cutter K is also supported longitudinally by means ofthe set-screw K4.

K5 is a tubular cutter-plug of hardened steel longitudinally adjustablewith reference to the cutter K and firmly secured in circular bearingsK6, Figs. 5 and 7, in the main of a setscreW K7.

L L', Fig. 7, area longitudinally centrallybored revoluble head andpulley, preferably integral, provided with axes L2, mounted in thebearings A7 AS in the part A6 and furnished with the usualstraightening-dies L3, seated 'in the head L, and havingtnbular hardenedsteel cond noting-plugs L4, seated in the ends of the axes L2.

M is a supporting-rail mounted horizontally in the main frame of themachine and in the upper end of the standard M', Figs. 1 and 2, theupper end of such standard M being of the same form in side elevation asthe hook shown in Fig. ln.

M2 represents receiving-hooks mounted on and depending from the rail M.A

M3 represents brackets mounted horizontally and rigidly on the rail M.

N is a longitudinally-grooved guide rigidly secured to the brackets M3and with the groove N' therein preferablylopening downward.

N2 is a guide-closure and is normally slidably suspended immediatelybelow and from the guide N thereon by means of the rigid lugs N3 and bymeans of the bolts N4, projecting downward from the brackets lVl3through the oblique slots N5 in such closure and the nuts N"i applied tothe lower ends of such bolts N4.

O is a gage-carriage having a rectangular passage O, Fig. 7,extendinglongitudinally therethrough to admit the guide N, whereon it isslidably mounted and provided with an opening O2 in the rear portionthereof to admit a part to be described hereinafter.

O2, Fig. 7, is a gage which is most conveniently formed of a segment ofWire, having its outer end O4 inserted through the opening O2 in thecarriage O, whereinto it is secured by means of a set-screw O5, and itsinner end Oslidably retained Within the groove N' in the guide N bymeans of ties O7, preferably formed of pieces of line Wire passed andsecured by twisting the ends thereof together around the guide N andbelow such gage O2.

The distance between the operative end of the cutter-plug K5, Figs. 5,G, and 7, and the inner end O6, Fig. 7, of the gage O2 will e5;- actlydetermine and measure the length of each segment of Wire X severed fromthe line of. Wire O8 by the cutter K of the machine. Obviously,therefore, the farther' the gage OS is set into the groove N in theguide N the shorter such segmentsX of Wire Will be, and vice versa. Inpractice it Will also often be found convenient to provide gages ofdiierent lengths.

P, Figs. 3 and 7, is a vertical detent-slide- Way fast to themachine-frame.

P is a detent having a cam-surface P2, Fig. 8, on one edge thereof andslidably mounted in the slideway P.

Q, Fig. 9, is a bell-crank mounted at its angle Q on a pivot-bearing Q2on the part N.

Q3 is a linkconnected, by means of a pivotjoint Q4, with the free end ofthe horizontal arm Q5 of the bell-crank Q and by means of a pivot-jointQ6 With the upper end of the detent P.

-Rvis a tension-spring connecting the link Q3 with the part A5 of themachine-frame and normally acting through such link Q3 to force thedetent P down into and retain it in engagement with the cam-head I7 onthe slidable pin 15.

S is a Wire link connecting the free end of IIO the vertical arm S ofthe bell-crank Q with the gage-carriage O.-

T, Fig. 2, is a bell-crank mounted at the end of one of its arms T on apivot-bearing T2 on the part A2 of the machine-frame.

T3 is a link'connecting the free end of the arm T4 of the bell-crank T,by means of the pivot-joint Twith the closure N2 of the guide N by meansof the pivot-joint TG.

U is an arm mounted by one end on a pivotbearing U at the upper end ofthe cutter-bar Jand havingits free end'U2 projecting against or intoclose proximity to the central portion of the arm T of the bell-crank T.

V, Fig. 2, is a tension-spring connecting the closure N2 with the-longitudinallygrooved guide N and normally retaining such closure shutunder such guide, Fig. 10.

At each oscillation of the cutter-bar J to sever a segment of Wire, asX, the free end U2 of the arm U will be forced forward against the arm Tof the bell-crank T, thereby causing the free end of the arm T2 of suchbell-crank to swing toward T6 and communicate motion through the link T3to the closure N2, which will be thereby slid against the ac-V tion ofthe spring V in an oblique direction, as indicated by the arrows t inFigs. 2 and 2, from the position shown in Fig. l() to that shown in Fig.l1, thus opening the closure N2 and permitting a Wire segment, as X, todrop `by gravity out of the groove N in the guide N into thereceiving-hooks M2.

The machine is operated in the 'following manner: A continuous line ofwire O8 extends from a coil on a reel (not shown) through thestraightening-dies L2 in the revoluble head L between the feeding-rollsF2 G2, which drives such line of wire O2 through the cutter-plug K5 andinto and along the groove N in the guide N until the end O10 thereof,Fig. 7, strikes the end O2, Fig. 72, of the gage O3. The gage O3 and itscarriage O will be forced along by such moving line of wire Os in thedirection indicated by the arrow in Fig/7 until motion communicated fromsuch carriage O through the bell-crank Q and link Q3 to the detent Pslides the latter upward out of engagement with the cam-head llof thepin I5 when the spring IG will force such pin I5 into one of theengaging sockets I in the female clutch member I, which being inconstant .rotation will turn the male clutch member I2 and its eccentricl2 once around. The single turn of the eccentric 12, just described,acting through the pitman J 2 will oscillate the cutter-bar J and causeits cutter K and the cutter-plug K5 to sever a segment of wire X, whichwill be released from and pass out of the groove N in the guide N intothe receiving-hooks M2 in the manner already described. Instantly afterthe severance of the segment of wire X, which operation simultaneouslyreleased the guide-closure N2, the detent P', gage-carriage O, and itsgage O2, the spring V will shut the closure N2, Fig. 10, and the springR will return the gage-carriage J2, Fig. 7, by which time the latterwill have turned a little less than one revolution,whereupon thecam-surface P2 thereon will engage t-he` cam head 17 on the pin l5 andtherethrough withdraw the latter from engagement with the engagingsocket l in the female clutch member I, the male clutch mem'-ber12continuingto turn until the pin I5 strikes the edge of thecam-surface P2 of the detent P' and stops the further rotation of suchmember I2. The continuously-moving line of wire Os will again in duecourse strike the end O.G of the gage O2, and the series of operationshereinbefore described will be repeated and another segment of wire Xwill be severed and drop into the receiving-hooks M2.

IVe claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. 'In a wiregaging and cutting machine, in combination, a longitudinally groovedguide-the groove therein preferably opening downward-a guide-closureslidably suspended immediately below the guide, a slidablymonntedgage-carriage, and a gage secured in the gage-carriage and extendingtherefrom into and slidably retained in the groove in the guide,substantially as and for the purpose specified. I

2. In a wire gaging and cutting machine, in combination, alongitudinally grooved guide-the groove therein preferably openingdownward-a guide-closure slidably suspended immediately below the guide,a gage-carriage slidably mounted on the guide, and a gage secured in thegage-carriage and extending therefrom into and slidably retained in thegroove in the guide and means for operating the guide-closure andgage-carriage, substan- 4f. In a wire gaging and cutting machine,

in combination, a supporting-frame, a longitudinally-grooved guide, aguide-closure slidably suspended below the guide, a gage-carriageslidably mounted on the guide, `a gage secured in the gage-carriage andextending therefrom into and slidably retained in the groove in theguide, a mounted clutch consisting of a male and a female member, adetent normally holding said clutch members out of engagement, apivotally-mounted cut- IOO IIO

ter-bar, a pitman connecting an eccentric on the male clutch member witha pivot-bearing on the lower end of the cutter-bar, the bellcrank andlink connections between the gagecarriage and detent and between theguideclosure and the supporting-frame, and means, carried by thecutter-bar, for opening the guide-closure, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

5. In a wire gaging and cutting machine, in comhination,a main frame,atubular cutterplug longitudinally adjustable in bearings in the frame, acutter-bar, pivotally mounted on the frame and having a dovetailed slotin the free end thereof,a dovetailed cutter and means for securing thecutter in the slot in the cutterbar--by forcing the dovetailed edges ofsuch cutter against the corresponding dovetailed edges of the slot inthe cutter-bar and by longitudinally supporting such cutter therein,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

G. vIn a wire gaging and cutting machine,

in com bination,vertically-elongated blocks D D having circular bearingsextending longitudinally therethrough and hinged togetherforadjustment--at their lower ends, shafts F G mounted in the bearings inthe blocks D D', pinions, mounted on the shafts F G and intermeshing,feeding-rolls mounted on the shafts F G and adapted to coperate to feedwire into the machine, means for driving the shafts F G, a frame forsupporting all of said parts and means for adjusting said blocks D D',substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specication in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FREDERICK W. HOEFER. AUGUST G. HOEFER. EMIL A. HOEFER.

Witnesses:

L. L. MORRISON, JEssIE E. VALENTINE.

